The city ahead of them seemed to come alive as small dots that marked its inhabitants began to rush back and forth. The large, black stone gates slowly crept open. Kace's eyes went wide as he watched the procession of a large number of figures exciting the city.

"Raven, what do you mean she knows about our arrival? How could she know and more importantly, how do you know about it?" Kace asked with a curious tone.

"She gave me a locket all those years ago. I've always kept it with me. Since I'd never run into vampires since then, I'd forgotten all about its effects." Raven began while removing it from his pocket. "It's enchanted so that its bearer is recognised as having the queens protection. Essentially it gives me safe passage."

"Well, that's great then!" Kace replied as he watched the dark mass of figures turn in their direction. "Hopefully we can get some proper rest."

Raven sighed as he looked at the optimistic expression that Kace was displaying. 'Yeah, one problem, though. We're not meant to be here. Who knows how she'll react. What's even worse is that those are soldiers heading here, not a welcoming committee.'

Sophia was glancing around nervously. Her pale face was becoming even whiter by the second. She looked as though she were seeking someplace she could hide which only served to give Kace a small form of amusement.

Kace could not help but wonder why she was so nervous. Despite all the complaining she had done about her mother, he had assumed that she would be at least a little happy to discover she was still alive.

Kace took point, leading the group towards those who were heading towards them. As they drew closer to each other, he could begin to make out some details about the other party.

In the lead were three vampires. Two of them were males while the third was a woman that seemed out of place amongst them. Both of the men had pitch-black hair that reached down to their chests.

The clothes they wore looked like they were designed to be practical while also being stylish. They wore black hide pants with boots that reached up to their shins. A white shirt with a high collar rested beneath the brown knee-length coats they wore.

Their skin had an unhealthy shade, making them look sickly rather than the usual beauty that undeath would usually grant someone. However, Kace was only basing that assumption on how undeath seemed to agree with Sophia. For all, he knew she could be an exception.

The woman amongst the three leaders was wearing a dark blue frilly dress. Kace was surprised to notice that although it brushed the ground with each step, there was not a speck of dirt on it. Her light brown hair was curly and was tied in blue near the end, which reached her slender waist.

Kace carefully studied her face but found that she could not be compared to Sophia. To him personally, he would mark her as cute while Sophia was gorgeous. Her dress left her forearms exposed which showed that her arms were unusually slim as if she had not been eating correctly.

Despite how they looked, each of the three moved with a grace that humans were merely incapable of replicating. The soldiers who were marching behind them were fully outfitted in silver armour, similar to those of old European knights except they were full of intricate engravings.

Flanking the column of vampire knights were two rows of gargoyles. Kace sneered as he remembered the obnoxiously annoying constructs that he had met before. He was getting the impression that they were prepared for a battle rather than to welcome guests.

It took some time for the two groups to meet, during which they had studied each other. When they were close enough to comfortably talk while still having enough distance to react to an attack, they halted. Raven moved to stand beside Kace while Sophia had been careful to keep herself hidden behind Grugda's massive frame.

"State your reason for trespassing upon the Queen's lands." The leading male vampire demanded with a scowl. He was making it clear that he found this charade to be annoying.

"I have a pass that was graced to me by Her Majesty. I seek refuge and protection for both myself and my companions." Raven replied while making sure to be respectful.

Raven handed over the locket when the female extended her hand towards him. She studied it carefully for several minutes. She was even going as far as to open it and surprise flashed across her face when she discovered a lock of the queen's hair stored within.

"It's authentic, Carl. There's no doubt that his mana signature matches the one this was made for." The woman said slowly while looking at her companion.

"Very well, since you have been granted the years favour we will guarantee your safety. However, the pass is only for one person. Your comrades will be arrested and detained until the Queen decides for them. Seize them!" Carl calmly ordered while snapping his fingers.

Kace's hand went to his blade; he was not keen on the idea of potentially putting his life in the hands and whims of a woman he had never met. The vampire knights began to move to surround them until a voice halted them in their tracks.

"You will not lay a single hand on them!" Sophia furiously shouted as she stepped forward. The woman and Carl's shocked expressions were priceless to see. The third member seemed not to know who she was however he wise enough not to say anything.

"Sophia! What the hell are you doing here!" The woman ran towards her with arms out wide seeking Sophia's embrace. Sophia blushed in embarrassment as the woman's arms wrapped around her.

"It's been too long, Celia." Sophia eventually managed to say even though she felt as though she was being crushed to death.

"Now, now! You can call me Aunty. No need to to use my name." Celia giggled like a little girl. Sophia noticed the confused looks on everyone's faces.

"She's not really my aunt. She's my mother's closest friend and aide, so she's just like family to us." Sophia explained while the colour in her cheeks slowly faded away.

"Now where's Feliks? I swear your mother will be furious when she finds out that he released you and sent you here!" Celia cut Sophia short before she could say anything else.

"Aunt, let me introduce you to someone first, and then I'll explain." Sophia slipped away from Celia's embrace to grab Kace by the arm. "This is Kace. He defeated Feliks in combat."

More than one of the crowd before them gasped at this piece of news and began chatting amongst themselves. Carl had an ugly look on his that was a mixture of disbelief and anger.

"There's no way that the likes of him would defeat Feliks. Stop your lying princess! It won't save you or Feliks for that matter from your respective punishments!" Carl snapped while pointing an accusatory finger at Sophia.

"I hate to agree with him, but he's right Sophia. I don't know where you picked up this riffraff before coming here, and I don't care. However, just because you 'like' him, it doesn't give you the right to ignore the challenge." Celia said after a heavy sigh while looking Sophia in the eyes. Then she turned to Kace, "No offence dear. I'm sure you're lovely."

"None took," Kace replied while shrugging his shoulders. It did not matter to him since the achievement belonged to his mindless beast form. He could only agree with their assessment that as he was now, he could never have harmed Feliks."

Sophia, on the other hand, trembled with a silent outrage. Her own 'aunt' was accusing her of lying about something so important. She felt humiliated and furious with how they were behaving and speaking about Kace. 'I can't let this slide.' She thought while returning the stern gaze that Celia was giving her.

"Normally you would be correct dear Aunt of mine." Sophia began while showing a forced smile and stressing the word Aunt. "However, appearances, as I have recently discovered, can be very misleading."

Carl snorted at her words, causing get Sophia to give him a scowling look. She was done with being polite and pandering to these two old fossils. 'It's time to deliver the killing blow before they can say anything else to mess this up!' Sophia thought while clearing her throat.

"Ladies and gentleman of the court!" Sophia called out, intentionally making sure that even the furthest knight from her would hear what she had to say. "May I introduce to all of you my champion!"

Celia slapped her forehead at Sophia's performance. She was silently seething that she would dare to continue with her blatant lie. 'I'll make sure not to hold back Sonja's fury this time. The girl needs to be put her in place once and for all.'

"His name is Kace. He bested Feliks in combat and set me free. Also, he's a Chimera!" Sophia yelled out to the sea of shocked expressions.